U.S. patent number 7,735,666 [Application Number 10/591,848] was granted by the patent office on 2010-06-15 for open/close cap and manufacturing method thereof.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Hosokawa Yoko Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Kouichi Inoue, Toshikazu Kenmotsu, Susumu Niwa, Hiroaki Takashima, Kazuhiro Umenaka.
United States Patent |
7,735,666 |
Niwa , et al. |
June 15, 2010 |
Open/close cap and manufacturing method thereof
Abstract
A coupling piece coupling a cap body and a band is prevented
from being cut off to tampering and the cutting-off thereof due to
deformation of the band. An open/close cap a cap body to be screwed
to an outer peripheral surface of a mouth portion of a pouring
spout and a band extending in the circumferential direction of the
cap body and engaged with the pouring spout, the band being formed
with at least one portion at which the band 10 circumferentially
separated, the end of the band being connected by a connection
piece at that portion at which the band is cut off. The band is
disposed below the lower surface of the cap body and coupling
pieces are attached to the lower portion of the cap body. A band
shape maintaining member is disposed to the lower end of the cap
body.
Inventors: |
Niwa; Susumu (Tokyo,
JP), Inoue; Kouichi (Tokyo, JP), Kenmotsu;
Toshikazu (Tokyo, JP), Takashima; Hiroaki
(Toyama, JP), Umenaka; Kazuhiro (Tokyo,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Hosokawa Yoko Co., Ltd. (Tokyo,
JP)
|
Family
ID: |
34993563 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/591,848 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2005 |
PCT
Filed: |
March 18, 2005 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/JP2005/004912 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
September 05, 2006 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2005/090182 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
September 29, 2005 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20070108154 A1 |
May 17, 2007 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Mar 22, 2004 [JP] |
|
|
2004-083529 |
Jul 2, 2004 [JP] |
|
|
2004-196334 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/252; 220/266;
220/265; 215/901; 215/344; 215/256; 215/253 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
41/3409 (20130101); Y10S 215/901 (20130101); B65D
75/5883 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
39/00 (20060101); B65D 41/32 (20060101); B65D
41/00 (20060101); B65D 41/02 (20060101); B65D
43/00 (20060101); B65D 47/00 (20060101); B65D
53/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;215/252,224,258,253,256,344,901 ;220/265,266 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0679584 |
|
Nov 1995 |
|
EP |
|
05-124669 |
|
May 1993 |
|
JP |
|
08-198288 |
|
Aug 1996 |
|
JP |
|
9150845 |
|
Jun 1997 |
|
JP |
|
2004-51195 |
|
Feb 2004 |
|
JP |
|
Other References
European Patent Office issued an European Search report on Dec. 4,
2008, Application No. 05721099. cited by other.
|
Primary Examiner: Stashick; Anthony
Assistant Examiner: Kirsch; Andrew T
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Young & Thompson
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An open/close cap which is screwed to a mouth portion of a
pouring spout of a packaging container and adapted to open the
mouth portion, the open/close cap comprising: a cap body screwed to
an outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion; a band attached
to the cap body so as to extend in a circumferential direction
thereof so as to be engaged with the pouring spout; a contact
preventing portion provided for the outer peripheral surface of the
cap body so as to extend outward from the outer peripheral surface
thereof, the contact preventing portion having a shape inclining
downward so that an extending lower end portion thereof has a
diameter equal to at least an outer surface of the band for
preventing an application of an external force to the band; and a
band shape maintaining member integrally formed on the cap body and
projecting downward from a lower end surface of the cap body, the
band shape maintaining member positioned to prevent the band from
being pushed radially inward of the open/close cap, the band shape
maintaining member with an outermost diameter defining a
predetermined gap between the band shape maintaining member and an
inner surface of the band, wherein, the band is provided with at
least one portion for separating the band in the circumferential
direction, end portions of the separated band are connected to each
other by a connection piece, which connection piece is to be cut
off, at that one portion, a protruded portion is formed to an
inside of the band so as to project toward the pouring spout, when
the open/close cap is rotated in an opening direction with respect
to the pouring spout, a forward side of the band between which the
connection piece is snapped when rotated together with the cap body
and a rear side of the band is prevented from rotating by
engagement of the protruded portion with a portion of the pouring
spout, the connection piece is cut off in the circumferential
direction thereof by a stress of the band generated by the
engagement, and the band is positioned below the lower surface of
the cap body so as to be attached to the lower portion of the cap
body by a coupling piece, so that when the cap is removed, the band
is removed together with the cap body, the cap body remaining
attached to the band by the coupling piece with the coupling piece
connecting the inner surface side of the band and the lower surface
of the cap body.
2. The open/close cap according to claim 1, wherein the contact
preventing portion is formed by extending at least a lower portion
in a vertical direction of the cap body.
3. The open/close cap according to claim 1, wherein the band shape
maintaining member is composed of a plurality of projections
intermittently disposed to the lower end surface of the cap body in
a circumferential direction thereof and spaced apart from a
corresponding part of the inner surface of the band.
4. The open/close cap according to claim 1, wherein the band shape
maintaining member is an annular member projected from the lower
end of the cap body, the outermost diameter defining an annular
shape free of contact with the band when the band is in a normal,
non-deformed state.
5. The open/close cap according to claim 1, wherein the cap body,
the band shape maintaining member, the band, the connection piece
and the coupling piece are integrally formed as a single piece.
6. The open/close cap according to claim 1, wherein the contact
preventing portion comprises a plurality of ribs extending from an
outer peripheral surface of the cap body in a circumferential
direction, the ribs having a lower end flush with the lower end
surface of the cap body and having an outside diameter equal to at
least the outer surface of the band, with the outer diameter of the
ribs defining the outer diameter of the contact preventing
portion.
7. A method of manufacturing an open/close cap which comprises a
cap body screwed to an outer peripheral surface of a pouring spout
of a packaging container so as to open or close the pouring spout,
a band disposed so as to extend in the circumferential direction of
the cap body and coupled to the cap body through a coupling piece,
and a band shape maintaining member disposed to a lower portion of
the cap body and defining a gap between the outer diameter of the
band shape maintaining member and the inner diameter of the band,
the band shape maintaining member for preventing crushing of the
band in a radially inward direction through abutment of the inside
portion of the band, and in which the band is provided, in a
circumferential direction thereof, with at least one portion at
which the band is separated in the circumferential direction, and
at which end portions of the band are connected to each other by a
connection piece, and the connection piece is cut off in the
circumferential direction thereof by a stress caused at a time when
the open/close cap is rotated with respect to the pouring spout and
a protruded portion projecting toward the pouring spout from the
inside of the band rides over a portion of the pouring spout, so
that when the cap is removed, the band is removed together with the
cap body, the cap body remaining attached to the band by the
coupling piece, the coupling piece provided so as to connect the
inner surface side of the band and the lower surface of the cap
body, the manufacturing method including an injection molding step
for integrally molding the cap body, the band shape maintaining
member, the connection piece and the coupling piece, wherein in the
injection molding step, the band is connected to the cap body by
the coupling piece so that a gap between the upper end of the band
and the lower end of the cap body is formed to be larger than a
dimension between the lower end of the band shape maintaining
member and the lower end of the cap body, and also including a
pushing step for pushing the band toward the cap body, after the
injection of the injection molding step, so that the band is
positioned on the outer periphery side of the band shape
maintaining member.
8. The open/close cap according to claim 1, wherein, the protruding
portion comprises two overlapping trapezoidal protruded portions
projecting from the inner surface of the band radially toward a
center axis of the cap, there are two of said connection piece, the
opening rotation of the cap body produces circumferential tension
applied to the band to cut off the connection pieces with the
connection pieces being separated in the circumferential direction,
and a larger one of the two overlapping trapezoidal protruded
portions displacing the band during the opening rotation, and the
opening rotation of the cap body removes the cap body and the band
from the pouring spout, the cap and band remaining integrally
connected by the coupling piece maintaining the cap body integrally
connected with the band upon removal from the pouring spout.
9. An open/close cap for opening and closing a pouring spout of a
packaging container, the open/close cap comprising: a cap body
having a closed upper surface, an opened lower portion, a
screw-shaped male screw formed in an inner surface of the cap body
so as to be engageable with an outer peripheral surface of a mouth
portion of the pouring spout, the cap body, as viewed from an upper
portion of the cap body, i) a cap closing includes the cap body
being rotated in the clockwise direction, the cap body being
screwed downward and sealing the mouth portion, and ii) a cap
opening includes the cap body being rotated in the counterclockwise
cap opening direction, the cap body being disengaged from the
pouring spout; a contact preventing portion formed at the lower
portion of the cap body, the contact preventing portion having a
lower portion protruding radially outward and an outer surface
thereof inclined obliquely downward, the contact preventing portion
defining a lower end surface of the cap body; a band provided at
the lower portion of the cap body below the contact preventing
portion and extending in a circumferential direction of the cap
body so as to be engaged with the pouring spout, the band divided
into two band pieces; connection pieces connecting circumferential
ends of the two band pieces; coupling pieces connecting the two
band pieces to the lower end surface of the cap body, the coupling
pieces disposed on an inner periphery side of the band pieces and
the lower surface of the cap body, a first of the coupling pieces
disposed on a front side in a cap loosening direction and having a
portion with a reduced thickness and width to be cut off at a time
when the open/close cap is rotated in the opening direction, a
second of the coupling pieces disposed on a rear side in the cap
loosening direction having an increased thickness and width so as
not to be cut off when the cap is rotated; claw portions formed on
the inner peripheral surface of each of the band pieces, one of the
claw portions disposed on a front end portion in the cap loosening
direction and the another claw portion disposed to a rear side of
the one claw portion in the cap loosening direction, the claw
portions protruding from the inner surfaces of the band pieces and
inclined in the cap loosening direction with respect to a radial
direction directed to a center axis of the cap from the inner
surface of the band pieces; a protruded portion on each band piece
projecting from the inner surfaces of the band pieces radially
toward the center axis of the cap; and a band shape maintaining
member integrally formed on the cap body and projecting downward
from a lower end surface of the cap body, the band shape
maintaining member positioned to prevent the band from being pushed
radially inward of the open/close cap, the band shape maintaining
member with an outermost diameter defining a predetermined gap
between the band shape maintaining member and an inner surface of
the band, the band shape maintaining member extending downward into
the band with a lower end of the band shape maintaining member
being substantially aligned with a central portion of the band in a
height direction, wherein, the opening rotation of the cap body
produces circumferential tension applied to the band by the claw
portions to cut off the connection pieces with the connection
pieces being separated in the circumferential direction, and the
protruded portions displacing the band pieces after cutting off the
connection pieces during the opening rotation, the opening rotation
of the cap body removes the cap body and the band from the pouring
spout, the cap and band remaining integrally connected with the
first of the coupling pieces being cut off by the opening rotation
and the second of the coupling pieces not being cut off by the
opening rotation thereby maintaining the cap body integrally
connected with the band upon removal from the pouring spout, and
with the cap removed, the band shape maintaining member remains
entirely with the cap.
10. The open/close cap according to claim 9, wherein, the
protruding portions each comprise two overlapping trapezoidal
protruded portions projecting from the inner surface of the band
radially toward a center axis of the cap, and the opening rotation
of the cap body produces the circumferential tension applied to the
band to cut off the connection pieces with the connection pieces
being separated in the circumferential direction by a larger one of
the two overlapping trapezoidal protruded portions displacing the
band during the opening rotation.
11. The open/close cap according to claim 1, wherein the band shape
maintaining member has an annular shape and has an inner diameter
equal to a inner diameter of an adjoining part of the cap body.
12. The open/close cap according to claim 1, wherein the band shape
maintaining member extends downward into the band with a lower end
of the band shape maintaining member being substantially aligned
with a central portion of the band in a height direction.
13. The open/close cap according to claim 1, wherein the band shape
maintaining member extends downward into the band with a height
approximately 1/2 a height of the band so that a lower end of the
band shape maintaining member is substantially aligned with a
central portion of the band in a height direction.
14. The open/close cap according to claim 9, wherein the band shape
maintaining member extends downward into the band with a height
approximately 1/2 a height of the band so that a lower end of the
band shape maintaining member is substantially aligned with a
central portion of the band in a height direction.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an open/close cap mounted to a
mouth portion of a pouring spout of a packaging container or like
for opening or closing the mouth portion of the pouring spout of
the packaging container and also relates to a method of
manufacturing such an open/close cap.
BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY
In order to open or close the cylindrical pouring spout formed to a
packaging container, there is provided a mouth plug structure in
which an open/close cap is screw-engaged with a mouth portion of
the pouring spout to be detachably. With such mouth plug structure,
in order to surely hold the open/close cap to the pouring spout,
there is known a structure in which a band is provided around the
cap body so as to hold the outer surface of the pouring spout by
the band (for example, refer to the following Patent Publication
1).
The open/close cap of such structure is constructed such that the
band is disposed on the outer side of the cap body and the band is
connected to the cap body by means of coupling piece. Further, the
band is composed of a plurality of circular-arc-shaped band pieces
which are connected to each other through a connection piece.
Engaging pieces projecting toward inside are formed to the end
portions in the circumferential direction of the inner surfaces of
the respective band pieces, and these engaging pieces are engaged
with the peripheral surface of the pouring spout of the open/close
cap to thereby hold the cap to the pouring spout.
On the other hand, to the outer peripheral portion of the pouring
spout, there is formed a claw portion projecting radially outward.
When the cap is opened, the claw portion applies a load to the
coupling pieces and the connection pieces to cut them off. That is,
when the cap is rotated, the engaging pieces formed to the inner
surfaces of the band pieces are engaged with the claw portions, and
when the engaging piece is engaged with the claw portion, the load
is applied to the coupling piece and the connection piece, thus
cutting them off. According to such operation, engaging force of
the engaging pieces to the pouring spout is loosened and the cap is
therefore freely rotated around the outer periphery of the pouring
spout.
The cap of such character is not opened when the coupling pieces
and connection pieces are not cut off and the band pieces are
mutually connected, and when the cut condition is observed, it is
found that the cap has been once opened. This function will serve
as tampering prevention function for preventing the inner content
from tampering with mischief to the packaging container.
Furthermore, an open/close cap disclosed in the Patent Publication
2 is constructed such that a band is disposed below a cap body so
that the band is connected to the cap body through a coupling
piece. The band of this open/close cap is formed with two cut-off
portions in its circumferential direction so as to be dividable
into two pieces or parts in the circumferential direction. The rear
portions of the respective band pieces in the cap opening direction
are connected to the cap body through the coupling pieces.
With this open/close cap, a projection provided for the inner
surface of each band piece is engaged with a ratchet formed to the
outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion of a container to
thereby prevent the open/close cap from being rotated in the cap
opening direction. On the other hand, when the open/close cap is
rotated in the cap opening direction, the projection rides over the
ratchet. In this instance, a load is applied to the band, and the
cut-out portions connecting the band pieces are cut off.
As mentioned above, by confirming whether the band is cut off or
not, the invention disclosed in the Patent Publication 2 can judge
whether the cap is opened or not.
Patent Publication 1: Japanese Patent Laid-open Application
Publication No. HEI 5-124669
Patent Publication 2: Japanese Patent Laid-open Application
Publication No. 2004-51195
However, after the pouring spout of the container has been tightly
sealed by the open/close cap, when an external force is applied to
the container during a conveyance in a conveyance line or
circulation path, there is a fear of the coupling piece and
connection piece being cut off. Especially, when the coupling piece
has been cut off, the tampering prevention function has not been
achieved.
In addition, in the conventional open/close cap represented by the
invention of the Patent Publication 2, as shown in FIG. 20, for
example, when the caps collide with each other during the
conveyance of the containers, there were some cases that the band
100 is pushed inward and then deformed in the radially inward
direction. When the caps are left in such deformed state, the
cut-out portions 101 connecting the band pieces 100 might be cut
off by the radially inward impact, thus damaging the rotation
prevention function and opening checking function of the band (band
piece) 100. Further, in FIG. 20, reference numeral 102 denotes a
projection or protruded portion to be engaged with the ratchet.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Then, the present invention provides an open/close cap and a
manufacturing method thereof capable of preventing the cutting-off
of the coupling piece coupling the cap body and the band, ensuring
the tampering prevention function and preventing the cutting-off
due to the deformation of the band.
In the present invention, in order to solve the above problem,
there is provided an open/close cap comprising a cap body screwed
to an outer peripheral surface of a pouring spout of a packaging
container and adapted to open the mouth portion and a band attached
to the cap body so as to extend in a circumferential direction
thereof so as to be engaged with the pouring spout, wherein the
band is provided with at least one portion for separating the band
in the circumferential direction, the separated band pieces are
connected to each other by connection pieces, which are to be cut
off, at that one portion, a protruded portion is formed to an
inside of the band so as to project toward the pouring spout, when
the open/close cap is rotated in an opening direction with respect
to the pouring spout, forward sides of the band pieces between
which the connection piece is snapped are rotated together with the
cap body, and on the other hand, rear sides of the band pieces are
prevented from rotating by engagement of the protruded portion with
a portion of the pouring spout, the connection pieces are cut off
by a stress of the band generated by the engagement, and the band
is positioned below the lower surface of the cap body so as to be
attached to the lower portion of the cap body by a coupling piece.
Further, it is preferred that the band includes more than two
pieces extending in the circumferential direction and coupled by
the coupling pieces together.
In the present invention, it is characterized in that the coupling
piece connects the inner surface side of the band and the lower
surface of the cap body.
Furthermore, a contact preventing portion having a diameter equal
to at least an outer surface of the band is provided for the outer
peripheral surface of the cap body so as to extend outward from the
outer peripheral surface.
Furthermore, in the present invention, the contact preventing
portion is formed by extending at least a lower portion in a
vertical direction of the cap body.
Further, in the present invention, in order to solve the above
problem, a band shape maintaining member for preventing crushing of
the band in a radially inward direction due to abutment of the
inside portion of the band is disposed to the lower end of the cap
body in an inside portion of the band.
Further, it may be possible to adopt a structure in which the band
shape maintaining member is composed of a plurality of projections
intermittently disposed to the lower end surface of the cap body in
a circumferential direction thereof or the band shape maintaining
member is an annular member projected from the lower end of the cap
body.
In the present invention, the cap body, the band shape maintaining
member, the band, the connection piece and the coupling piece are
integrally formed through an injection molding process.
Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that a
contact preventing portion having a diameter equal to at least an
outer surface of the band is provided for the outer peripheral
surface of the cap body so as to extend outward from the outer
peripheral surface.
Still furthermore, in the present invention, in order to solve the
above problem, there is adopted a method of manufacturing an
open/close cap which comprises a cap body screwed to an outer
peripheral surface of a pouring spout of a packaging container so
as to open or close the pouring spout, a band disposed so as to
extend in the circumferential direction of the cap body and coupled
to the cap body through a coupling piece, and a band shape
maintaining member disposed to a lower portion of the cap body for
preventing crushing of the band in a radially inward direction due
to abutment of the inside portion of the band, and in which the
band is provided, in a circumferential direction thereof, with at
least one portion at which the band is separated into band pieces
in the circumferential direction, and at which the band pieces are
connected to each other by a connection piece, and the connection
piece is cut off by a stress caused at a time when the open/close
cap is rotated with respect to the pouring spout and a protruded
portion projecting toward the pouring spout from the inside of the
band rides over a portion of the pouring spout, the manufacturing
method including an injection molding step for integrally molding
the cap body, the band shape maintaining member, the connection
piece and the coupling piece, wherein in the injection molding
step, the band is connected to the cap body by the coupling piece
so that a gap between the upper end of the band and the lower end
of the cap body is formed to be larger than a dimension between the
lower end of the band shape maintaining member and the lower end of
the cap body, and also including a pushing step for pushing the
band toward the cap body, after the injection of the injection
molding step, so that the band is positioned on the outer
peripheral side of the band shape maintaining member.
According to the present invention, since the band is positioned
below the lower surface of the cap body and connected by the
coupling piece, the contacting of a foreign material to the
coupling piece can be effectively prevented. Especially, the
arrangement of the coupling piece on the inner surface side of the
band prevents the further contacting thereto. In addition, in the
present invention, since the contact preventing portion is provided
to the cap body, this contact preventing portion can prevent the
contacting of the foreign material to the band itself.
As a result, even if the open/close cap is subjected to the
external force on the conveyance line or flow passage, the band can
be prevented from being damaged, and after providing in a market,
the tampering prevention function can be surely achieved.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, in the case where
the band is pushed radially inward of the open/close cap, the band
abuts against the band shape maintaining member to thereby prevent
the band from deforming. For this reason, even if another
open/close cap or foreign material collide with the band, any
stress is not applied to the connection piece, so that the
connection piece is not broken.
Accordingly, the loosening preventing function, the tampering
preventing function and the tampering confirming function naturally
provided for the open/close cap can be achieved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mouth plug unit to which an
open/close cap according to one embodiment of the present invention
is attached.
FIG. 2 is an elevational section of the open/close cap.
FIG. 3 is a view showing a positional relationship between claw
portions and protruded portions (projections) formed to a band of
the open/close cap.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a positional relationship
between a high protruded portion and a low protruded portion.
FIG. 5 is a front view of a pouring spout constituting the mouth
plug unit.
FIG. 6 is a view showing a stopper of the pouring spout, a base
seat, ribs formed therebetween, ratchets formed to front ends of
the ribs, and a deformation prevention portion, and showing a
positional relationship thereamong.
FIG. 7 is a front view of a container showing a condition that the
open/close cap seals the mouth portion of the pouring spout.
FIG. 8 is a view showing a condition that the ratchet abuts against
the claw portion.
FIG. 9 is a view showing a cut-off condition of the connection
piece.
FIG. 10 is a view showing a cut-off condition of the coupling
piece.
FIG. 11 is an elevational section of an open/close cap according to
another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is an elevational section of an open/close cap according to
a further embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is an elevational section of an open/close cap provided
with a band-shape maintaining portion.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view as seen from a back side of the
open/close cap according to a further embodiment different from the
open/close cap of FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 is a view explaining a condition in which an external force
for deforming the band radially inward of the open/close cap
acts.
FIG. 16 is a view explaining a method of manufacturing the
open/close cap by simultaneously injection-molding the cap body and
the band and then pushing the band inside the cap body.
FIG. 17 is a view explaining another method of manufacturing the
open/close cap different from the method of FIG. 16.
FIG. 18 is a view explaining a further method of manufacturing the
open/close cap different from the method of FIG. 16.
FIG. 19 is a view showing a condition after the coupling piece is
cut off and the cap is opened.
FIG. 20 is a view showing a condition of a deformed band when an
external force is applied to a band of a conventional open/close
cap.
REFERENCE NUMERAL
1 - - - mouth plug unit 2, 2A, 2B - - - open/close cap 3 - - - cap
body 7, 50, 60 - - - rib 8 - - - contact preventing portion 9, 9A -
- - band-shape maintaining portion 10 - - - band 11 - - - band
piece 12, 13 - - - coupling piece 14 - - - connection piece 15, 16
- - - claw portion 17, 18 - - - protruded portion (projection) 20 -
- - pouring spout 21 - - - mouth portion 23 - - - stopper 40, 42,
44, 46 - - - rib 41, 43 - - - ratchet 45 - - - deformation
prevention portion
BEST MODE FOR EMBODYING THE INVENTION
Hereunder, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mouth plug unit 1 sealing
the pouring spout 20 of a container A with an open/close cap 2
according to one embodiment of the present invention. This mouth
plug unit 1 includes a pouring spout 20 mounted to an upper portion
of the container A and the open/close cap 2 formed to the upper
portion of the pouring spout 20 so as to be screw-engaged with a
mouth portion 21 for opening and closing the pouring spout 20. The
mouth plug unit 1 is mounted to the upper end of the container A by
inserting a lower portion of the pouring spout 20 into the
container A. As viewed from an upper portion of the open/close cap
2, when the open/close cap 2 is rotated in the clockwise direction,
the cap 2 is screwed downward with the pouring spout 20 and the
mouth plug unit 1 seals the mouth portion 21, and on the contrary,
when the cap 2 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the
open/close cap 2 is disengaged from the pouring spout 20.
FIGS. 2 to 4 show the details of the open/close cap 2.
The open/close cap 2 is composed of a tubular cap body 3 and a band
10 provided at the lower end of the cap body 3 so as to extend in
the circumferential direction of the cap 2.
The cap body 3 is formed from a tubular member having a closed
upper surface 4 and an opened lower portion. A screw-shaped male
screw 5 is formed in an inner surface of the cap body 3 so as to be
engageable with the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion
21. A tubular seal portion 6 is formed to the inner surface of the
upper portion 4 of the cap body 3 radially inside an inner wall
portion of the cap body 3 so as to extend downward. This seal
portion 6 serves to prevent the inner content from leaking by
tightly contacting the outer peripheral surface of the seal portion
to the inner surface of the mouth portion at a time when the
open/close cap 2 is screw-engaged with the mouth portion 21. Ribs 7
are formed to the entire outer peripheral surface of the cap body 3
so as to project radially outward.
To the lower portion of the cap body 3, there is formed a contact
preventing portion 8. This contact preventing portion 8 has a lower
portion protruding radially outward, and an outer surface 8a
thereof is inclined obliquely downward.
On the other hand, the band 10 is disposed below the lower end
surface 3b of the cap body 3 and connected to the lower end surface
3b of the cap body 3 through coupling pieces 12 and 13. The band 10
is divided into two pieces 11, 11 at its circumferential direction,
and these pieces 11 are connected, at their circumferential ends,
to each other by means of connection pieces 14. The band pieces 11,
11 constituting the band 10 are coupled to the lower end surface 3b
of the open/close cap 2 by means of coupling pieces 12 and 13 at
circumferentially two portions of the band 10. The coupling pieces
12 and 13 are disposed on the inner periphery side of the band
pieces 11, 11.
Among the coupling pieces 12 and 13 provided for the respective
band pieces 11, 11, the coupling piece 12 disposed on the front
side in a cap loosening (i.e. cap opening) direction X has thin
thickness and narrow width so as to be easily cut off at a time
when the open/close cap 2 is rotated. On the contrary, the other
coupling piece 13 disposed on the rear side in the cap loosening
direction X has large thickness and wide width so as not to be cut
off even if the open/close cap 2 is rotated.
In addition, claw portions 15 and 16 are formed to the inner
peripheral surface of each of the band pieces 11. One of the claw
portions 15 is disposed on the front end portion in the cap
loosening direction X and the other claw portion 16 is disposed
slightly rear side of the claw portion 15 in the cap loosening
direction X. These claw portions 15, 15 and 16, 16 formed to the
respective band pieces 11, 11 are positioned symmetrically with
each other. The claw portions 15 and 16 are protruded from the
inner surfaces of the band pieces 11 so as to be slightly inclined
in the cap loosening direction X with respect to the radial
direction directed to the center axis of the open/close cap 2 from
the inner surface of the band pieces 11.
Moreover, these band pieces 15 and 16 are formed with two
trapezoidal protruded portions 17 and 18 so as to be as if
overlapped with each other. These protruded portions 17 and 18
project from the inner surfaces of the band pieces 11, 11 radially
toward the center axis of the open/close cap 2. These protruded
portions 17, 17 and 18, 18 are also arranged to be symmetrical with
each other. Furthermore, the claw portion 16 disposed on the rear
side in the cap loosening direction X and the coupling piece 12
having thin thickness and narrow width are coincident with each
other in their positions in the circumferential direction, and the
protruded portions 17, 18 and the other coupling piece 13 are also
coincident with each other in their positions in the
circumferential direction.
FIG. 4 shows the positional relationship between two protruded
portions 17 and 18 and the details of the shapes thereof. As shown
in FIG. 4, the protruded portions 17 and 18 are combination of the
protruded portion 17 having a low mount shape and the protruded
portion 18 having a high mount shape. The low protruded portion 17
positioned on the front side in the cap loosening direction X is
formed throughout the height direction of the band piece 11. On the
other hand, the high protruded portion 18 positioned on the rear
side in the cap loosening direction X is formed to an upper half
portion in the height direction of the band piece 11.
The low protruded portion 17 abuts against a deformation preventing
portion forming the front end portion of a rib formed to the mouth
plug unit 1, which will be mentioned hereinafter so as to prevent
the band piece from being deformed radially inward. On the other
hand, the high protruded portion 18 has a function of displacing
the band pieces after the cutting off of the connection pieces 14
at the time of riding over the ratchet during the rotation of the
cap, which will be also mentioned hereinafter in detail. Further,
the protruded portions 17 and 18 are formed so as to provide the
trapezoidal shapes, respectively, and the front surfaces of the
protruded portions 17 and 18 are formed so as to properly abut
against the front end surfaces of the deformation prevention
portions and not to be engaged with the ratchets at the time when
the protruded portions 17 and 18 pass the positions of the
ratchets. These protruded portions 17 and 18 are formed so that
adjacent side portions thereof are partially overlapped with each
other.
The details of the pouring spout 20 which is to be screw-engaged
with the open/close cap 2 are described hereunder with reference to
FIGS. 5 and 6.
The pouring spout 20 has an upper tubular mouth portion 21 and a
lower fine longer tubular straw portion 28. A plurality of layered
base seats 24, 25 and 26 extending horizontally outward from the
outer periphery of the pouring spout 20 are disposed between the
mouth portion 21 and the straw portion 28, and a mount portion 27
to be bonded to the upper end of the container A is also disposed
therebetween on the lower side of the base seats 24, 25 and 26.
The straw portion formed to the lower portion of the pouring spout
20 has a fine elongated tubular shape which is inserted inside the
container A. The straw portion 28 is also formed, at its lower end,
with an opening 29 and with a slot 30, at its side surface,
communicating the straw portion 28. The straw portion 28 is further
formed with a plate-like portion 31 so as to extend on both side
directions. The plate-like portion 31 serves to ensure a passage to
the opening 29 and the slot 30 at a time when the container A is
crushed to thereby introduce the inner content of the container A
inside the straw portion 28.
The mount portion 27 has a flat shape in the longitudinal direction
and extends in the lateral direction. This mount portion 27 has an
outer surface to which an upper edge of the container A is bonded
together so as to be tightly sealed with no gap.
The base seats 24, 25 and 26 are arranged so as to form three-layer
structure, and these base seats are each formed so as to have an
octagonal shape extending laterally, and that is, extending
horizontally from the outer periphery of the mouth portion.
Further, the lowest base seat 26 has a lower surface abutting
against the upper edge of the container A to prevent the pouring
spout 20 from falling into the container A in a manufacturing
process.
On the other hand, the mouth portion disposed above the pouring
spout 20 has a tubular (cylindrical) structure and is formed, at
its outer periphery, with a spiral male screw 22. The male screw 22
is engaged with a female screw 5 formed to the inner wall surface
of the open/close cap 3 to thereby screw engage the open/close cap
3 with the mouth portion 21, whereby the open/close cap 3 is
detachably mounted to the mouth portion 21.
Furthermore, a pair of sector-shaped stoppers 23 are formed to the
lower end of the mouth portion 21 so as to extend laterally from
the outer peripheral surface of he mouth portion 21. The outer
edges of the respective stoppers 23 are positioned inside the outer
peripheral edge of the base seat 24. These stoppers 23 are
separated from each other at positions corresponding to the front
and back surface portions of the container A so as to oppose to
each other with the end surfaces thereof being parallel.
The stoppers 23 are disposed above the upper base seat 24 with a
gap having a predetermined distance. In this gap, a plurality of
ribs 40, 42, 44 and 46 connecting the base seat 24 and the stoppers
23 are disposed so as to extend toward the outer edges of the
stoppers 23.
Among these ribs, a pair of ribs 40 are disposed so as to extend
respectively laterally from the outer peripheral surface of the
mouth portion 21. The front ends of the ribs 40 project radially
outward from the outer edges of the stoppers 23. The front end of
the rib constitutes a ratchet 41 engageable with the claw portion
15 formed to the each band piece 11 of the open/close cap 2. These
ratchets 41 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the mouth
portion 21 being an axis at the outer edges of the stoppers 23.
On the other hand, a pair of other ribs 42 extend, from the
intermediate positions between the root and front end portions of
the ribs, to the peripheral edges of the stoppers 23 at right
angles with respect to the ribs 40. The front ends of these ribs 42
also project toward the outer side from the outer edges of the
stoppers 23, and the projecting ends thereof also function as
ratchets 43. These ratchets 43 are arranged also symmetrically with
respect to the mouth portion 21 being an axis at the outer edges of
the stoppers 23. Further, the ratchets 43 are inevitably inclined
in the direction reverse to the opening direction X of the
open/close cap 2 because the ribs 42 extend, from the intermediate
positions between the root and front end portions of the ribs 40 at
right angles with respect to the ribs 40.
These ratchets 41 and 43 are arranged such that when the screwed
open/close cap 2 is loosened, the ratchet 41 is engaged with the
claw portion 15 and the ratchet 43 is simultaneously engaged with
the claw portion 16.
Two pairs of ribs 44 and 46 are disposed between the base seat 24
and the stoppers 23 so as to extend toward the outer edges of the
stoppers 23 from the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion
21. These ribs 44 and 46 are disposed each between the rib 40
provided with the ratchet 41 and the end surface positioned in the
cap opening direction X with respect to the rib 40 and between the
rib 40 and the end surface positioned in the cap closing direction
Y for fastening the open/close cap 2. The front ends of the paired
ribs 44 and the front ends of the paired ribs 46 are symmetrically
arranged respectively with the mouth portion 21 being interposed
therebetween.
Among these ribs, the ribs 44 positioned on the end surface side in
the cap opening direction X projects, at its tip end surface,
slightly outward of the outer edge of the stopper 23, and on the
other hand, the rib 46 is positioned between the rib 40 and the end
surface in the cap opening direction X, at its tip end surface,
inside the outer peripheral edge of the stopper 23 by a
predetermined distance. When the band pieces 11 are pushed by hands
radially inward, the protruded portions 17 and 18 abut against the
tip end surface of the rib 44, which hence acts as the deformation
preventing portion 45 for preventing the band pieces 11 from being
deformed. The deformation preventing portion 45 may be disposed to
be flash with the outer edge of the stopper 23. The positional
relationship in the circumferential direction in which the
deformation preventing portion 45 as the front end of the rib 44
tip end corresponds to the position just before the ratchet 41 and
the claw portion 15 is engaged, the ratchet 43 and the claw portion
16 is engaged, and the connection pieces are then cut off, at the
time when the open/close cap 2 is loosened. When the open/close cap
2 is rotated to the position just before the connection pieces 14
are cut off, the protruded portions 17 and 18 are positioned to the
portions corresponding to the deformation preventing portion
45.
According to the open/close cap 2 having the structure mentioned
hereinabove, the band 10 can be protected from cutting off in the
following manner in a state that the open/close cap 2 is tightly
sealed to the mouth portion 21.
As shown in FIG. 7, when the mouth portion 21 of the pouring spout
20 is tightly sealed by the open/close cap 2, the band 10 is
positioned between the upper base seat 24 and the contact
preventing portion 8. The peripheral edge of the base seat 24
extends radially outward over the outer peripheral surface of the
band, and on the other hand, the outer peripheral edge of the
contact preventing portion 8 extends radially to the position
substantially the same as the outer peripheral edge of the band 10.
For this reason, the band 10 disposed between the upper base seat
24 and the contact preventing portion 8 hardly contact an external
foreign material, and hence, the application of an external force
to the band 10 can be effectively prevented.
In addition, the coupling pieces 12 and 13 connect, at the inner
surface side, the lower end surface of the cap body 3 and the band
10, so that the coupling pieces 12 and 13 are protected by the
contact preventing portion 8 and the band 10 itself to thereby
surely be prevented from contacting the external foreign material.
For this reason, in the state that the open/close cap 2 is fastened
to the pouring spout 20 to seal the mouth portion 21, the coupling
pieces 12 and 13 never be cut off by the mere contact of the cap 2
to the external foreign material, and the tampering preventing
function can be effectively achieved.
Further, in the state that the cap 2 closes the mouth portion 21,
as shown in FIG. 6, the connection pieces 14, 14 connecting the
band pieces 11, 11 are positioned near the central portion in the
circumferential direction of the outer edge of the stoppers 23. The
ratchet 41 and the claw portion 15 and the ratchet 43 and the claw
portion 16 are opposed to each other with small gaps, respectively.
In addition, with the deformation preventing portion 45 formed to
the front end of the rib 44 and the protruded portions 17 and 18
formed to the band pieces 11, slight gaps are formed therebetween
in the circumferential thereof and the protruded portions 17 and 18
are positioned at the rear side in the cap opening direction X. As
mentioned, by forming a plurality of ratchets 41 and 43 to the
pouring spout 20 and disposing the claw portions 15 and 16 to be
engaged therewith to the band 10 of the open/close cap 2, a play
can be prevented from causing in the cap rotating direction. In
addition, when the cap 2 closes the mouth portion 21, substantially
no gap is formed between the ratchet 41 and the claw portion 15 and
between the ratchet 43 and the claw portion 16, which also prevents
the formation of a play in the rotating direction of the cap 2.
Incidentally, the tampering preventing function will be achieved in
the following manner.
The outer edge of the base seat 24 disposed below the stoppers 23
largely extends laterally. The outer edge of the base seat 24
extends outward the outer peripheral surface of the respective band
pieces 11 at the position disposed to the band pieces 11 in a range
between the deformation preventing portion 45 positioned at the
foremost portion in the opening direction X of the open/close cap 2
and the claw portion 16 positioned at the rearmost portion in the
cap opening direction X. For this reason, at the portions at which
the ratchets 41, 43, the claw portions 15, 16, the deformation
preventing portion 45 and the protruded portions 17, 18 are
positioned, no space for invading a material inside the open/close
cap 2 is formed between the band pieces 11 and the base seat 24, so
that the ratchets 41, 43 and the claw portions 15, 16 are hidden by
the base seat 24 and the band pieces 11, thereby effectively
preventing an intentional work from the outside to the ratchets 41,
43 to open the cap 2 from being done.
Furthermore, the pouring spout 20 is provided with a plurality of
ratchets 41 and 43, and on the other hand, the band pieces 11 of
the open/close cap 2 are provided with a plurality of claw portions
15 and 16 to be engageable with the ratchets 41 and 43. For this
reason, in order to rotate the cap 2 without damaging the band
pieces 11, the coupling pieces 12, 13 and the connection pieces 14,
it is required to simultaneously work all the ratchets 41, 43 and
the claw portions 15, 16 to be engaged therewith. However, it is
extremely difficult to simultaneously work these ratchets 41, 43
and the claw portions 15, 16, which are hidden by the band pieces
11 and the base seat 24. Thus, by forming a plurality of ratchets
41, 43 and the claw portions 15, 16, the tampering preventing
function can also be achieved.
Hereunder, with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10, the function and
operation of the cap opening process will be described.
First, the open/close cap 2 is rotated in the cap opening direction
X, i.e., counter-clockwise direction with respect to the pouring
spout 20. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the ratchet 41 is engaged with
the claw portion 15, and the ratchet 43 is engaged with the claw
portion 16. When the open/close cap 2 is further rotated, from this
state, in the cap opening direction X, the ratchets 41, 43 and the
claw portions 15, 16 are deeply engaged together. In this instance,
circumferential tension is applied to the band 10 and the
connection pieces 14 are hence cut off. That is, when the claw
portions 15, 16 of the band pieces 11 are engaged with the ratchets
41, 43, respectively, the portion in the predetermined range of the
band pieces 11 positioned on the rear side of the cap opening
direction X is prevented from rotating with the connection pieces
14 being the reference position, and on the other hand, the portion
in the predetermined range of the band pieces 11 on the front side
in the cap opening direction X is rotated. Accordingly, pulling
force is applied to the connection pieces 14, and as shown in FIG.
9, they are cut off so as to be separated in the circumferential
direction.
Furthermore, the respective band pieces 11 deform with the front
portion in the cap opening direction X being directed downward.
Among the coupling pieces 12 and 13 coupling the band pieces 11 and
the cap body 3, the coupling piece 13 positioned on the rear side
in the cap opening direction X maintains the coupled condition,
without being cut off, between the band pieces 11 and the cap body
3. On the other hand, the coupling piece 12 positioned on the front
side and having thin thickness and narrow width is applied with a
tensioning load and is then cut off.
When the open/close cap 2 is further rotated in the cap opening
direction X, and the protruded portions 17 and 18 for deformation
reach the position of the ratchet 43, the protruded portions 17 and
18 ride over the ratchet 43. At this instance, the band pieces 11
are further applied with the twisting force, and therefore, as
shown in FIG. 10, the respective band pieces 11, 11 deform largely
downward at their front sides in the cap opening direction X. As
mentioned, the deformation of the band pieces 11 of the open/close
cap 2 makes extremely easy the confirmation of the open/close cap 2
in the condition after being opened.
Further, the open/close cap may be formed as shown in FIG. 11. The
open/close cap 2A shown in FIG. 11 differs from the open/close cap
2 in the structure of a rib 50 formed on the outer peripheral
surface of the cap body 3, and the other structures are
substantially the same as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 10.
Accordingly, the same reference numerals are added to the
corresponding portions and the detailed explanations thereof are
omitted herein.
The open/close cap 2A is also composed of the cap body 3 and the
band 10 coupled to the lower end surface 36 of the cap body 3. The
cap body 3 has a tubular structure having a closed upper surface 4
and opened bottom portion. A spiral female screw 5 is formed to the
inner surface of the tubular cap body 3 so as to be screwed to an
outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion of the pouring spout,
not shown. A cylindrical seal member 6 is formed to an inner
surface of the upper portion 4 of the cap body 3 radially inward
from the inner wall surface thereof.
To the lower portion of the cap body 3, is formed a contact
preventing portion 8. The contact preventing portion 8 is formed by
extending the lower portion of the cap body 3 radially outward, and
the outer surface 8a thereof is inclined downward in the radial
outward direction so as to provide a shade.
Furthermore, a plurality of ribs 50 are formed to the outer
peripheral surface 3a of the cap body 3 so as to project radially
outward therefrom in the circumferential direction. The rib 50 has
an upper end 50a flush with the upper surface 4 of the cap body 3
and a lower end 50b also flush with the lower end surface 3a of the
cap body 3. For such arrangement, in this cap 2, the contact
preventing portion 8 is not extended over the rib 50, and the rib
50 covers the outer peripheral surface of the contact preventing
portion 8, and hence, the ribs 50 are also function as the contact
preventing portion.
Incidentally, the band 10 is positioned below the lower surface of
the cap body 3. The band 10 is divided into two band pieces 11, 11
in the circumferential direction thereof, and these band pieces 11
connected through the connection pieces 14, 14 at their
circumferential end portions. The band 10 is connected to the cap
body 3 by coupling the band pieces 11 to the lower end surface 3b
of the cap body at two portions by means of coupling pieces 12 and
13. These coupling pieces 12 and 13 are disposed on the inner
peripheral side of the respective band pieces 11, 11.
FIG. 12 shows an open/close cap according to a further embodiment
of the present invention.
An open/close cap 2B of this embodiment is also composed of the cap
body 3 and the band 10 coupled to the lower end surface 3b thereof.
The cap body 3 has a tubular structure having a closed upper
surface 4 and opened bottom portion. A spiral female screw 5 is
formed to the inner surface of the tubular cap body 3. A
cylindrical seal member 6 is formed to an inner surface of the
upper portion 4 of the cap body 3 so as to extend downward.
In the open/close cap 2B of this embodiment, the outer peripheral
surface 3a of the cap body 3 is broadened toward the lower end so
as to entirely show a circular truncated conical shape.
Furthermore, a plurality of ribs 60 are formed to the outer
peripheral surface 3a of the cap body 3 so as to project radially
outward therefrom in the circumferential direction. The rib 60 has
an upper end 60a flush with the upper surface 4 of the cap body 3
and a lower end 60b also flush with the lower end surface 3a of the
cap body 3.
On the other hand, the band 10 is positioned below the lower
surface 3b of the cap body 3. The band 10 is divided into two band
pieces 11, 11 in the circumferential direction thereof, and these
band pieces 11 are connected through the connection pieces 14, 14
at their circumferential end portions. On the other hand, the band
10 is connected to the cap body 3 by coupling the band pieces 11 to
the lower end surface 3b of the cap body at two portions by means
of coupling pieces 12 and 13. These coupling pieces 12 and 13 are
disposed on the inner peripheral side of the respective band pieces
11, 11.
In this open/close cap 2B, the front (downward) ends of the ribs 60
extend, at the lower portion of the cap body 3, to the position
substantially the same as the outer peripheral surface of the band
10. Because of this reason, in this open/close cap 2B, the ribs 60
function themselves as the contact preventing portion.
In the above, the structure in which the band is coupled to the
lower end of the cap body is described, but the present invention
is not limited to this structure, and for example, there may take a
structure in which the coupling pieces extend from the inner
peripheral surface of the cap body or extend from the outer
peripheral surface thereof so as to be coupled to the band 10.
Furthermore, the band is not limited to two divided pieces, and the
band may have at least only one portion at which the band is
divided in the circumferential direction, or may be divided into
three or more band pieces.
On the other hand, as to the contact preventing portion, although
the example extending to the position substantially the same as the
outer peripheral surface of the band in the radial direction is
described, the present invention is not limited to such example,
and an example in which it extends radially outward from the outer
peripheral surface from the band may be adopted.
Next, an embodiment in which a deformation prevention means is
provided for preventing the deformation of the band will be
explained even in a case when a radially inward force is applied to
the band. Further, the basic structure of an open/close cap of such
embodiment is substantially the same as that of the above
embodiment, so that the same reference numerals are added to the
corresponding portions and the detailed explanations thereof will
be hence omitted herein.
FIG. 13 shows the structure of the open/close cap 2.
This open/close cap 2 is composed of a tubular cap body 3 and a
band 10 provided to the lower end of the cap body 3 so as to extend
in the circumferential direction of the cap 2.
The cap body 3 is composed of a tubular member having an upper
surface closed and a lower portion opened. A spiral female screw 5
is formed to the inner surface of the cap body 3 so as to be
engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 21.
A cylindrical seal member 6 is formed to the inner surface of the
upper portion of the cap body 3 so as to project downward at the
radially inside portion from the inner wall surface of the cap
body. The seal member 6 prevents the inner content from leaking
outward at the time when the open/close cap 2 is screw-engaged with
the mouth portion 21 by tightly contacting the outer peripheral
surface of the cap to the inner surface of the mouth portion 21.
Further, ribs 7 radially projecting in the radially outward
direction are formed to the outer peripheral surface 3a of the cap
body 3 in the entire circumferential direction thereof.
Furthermore, the contact preventing portion 8 is formed to the
lower portion of the cap body 3 by extending the lower portion of
the cap body 3 radially outward. The outer surface 8a of this
contact preventing portion 8 serves to prevent a foreign material
such as another open/close cap from colliding against the band
10.
On the other hand, the band 10 is disposed below the lower end
surface 3b of the cap body 3 and is coupled to the lower end
surface 3b through the coupling pieces 12 and 13, respectively. The
band 10 is divided into two pieces in its circumferential
direction, and these band pieces are connected together at their
circumferential ends by means of connection pieces 14. The band 10
is coupled to the open/close cap 2 in the manner that the band
pieces 11, 11 are coupled to the lower end surfaces 3b of the cap
body 3 at circumferential two portions through the coupling pieces
12 and 13, respectively. These coupling pieces 12 and 13 are
disposed on the inner peripheral side of the band pieces 11,
11.
Furthermore, two claw portions 15 and 16 are formed at two portions
on the inner peripheral surface of the band pieces 11. In addition,
two trapezoidal protruded portions 17 and 18 are formed to the
respective band pieces 11 so as to be overlapped with each other.
These protruded portions 17 and 18 project in the radial direction
toward the center axis of the open/close cap 2 from the inner
surface of the band pieces 11.
In addition to the above structure, the cap body 3 is integrally
formed with a band shape maintaining member 9 projecting downward
from the lower end surface of the cap body 3. This band shape
maintaining member 9 serves to prevent the band 10 from being
pushed radially inward of the open/close cap 2 even if another
open/close cap 2 abuts against the band. The band shape maintaining
member 9 has an annular shape having an outer diameter of a size or
dimension such that a predetermined gap is formed between it and
the inner surface of the band 10. That is, the outer diameter of
the band shape maintaining member 9 is determined such that, in a
normal state, the claw portions 15, 16 and the protruded portions
17, 18 formed to the inner surfaces of the band pieces 11, 11 do
not interfere with this band shape maintaining member 9. On the
other hand, the inner diameter thereof is made to be equal to the
inner diameter of the cap body 3. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13,
the band shape maintaining member 9 projects so that the lower end
thereof accords with substantially the central portion of the band
10 in its height direction.
The band shape maintaining member 9 may be disposed as shown in
FIG. 14. Further, the structure of the open/close cap 2A shown in
FIG. 14 is substantially the same as the cap 2 shown in FIG. 13
except the band shape maintaining member 9A.
In the open/close cap 2A shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of
projections 9B are intermittently disposed, in the circumferential
direction, inside the band 10 at the lower end surface of the cap
body 3, thus constituting the band shape maintaining member 9A.
These projections 9B are disposed evenly in the circumferential
direction of the open/close cap 2A. Each projection 9B has a height
approximately 1/2 to 1/3 of the height of the band 10. In the
formation of such band shape maintaining member 9A, the band 10 can
be effectively prevented from being pushed radially inward.
FIG. 15 is a view for explaining the function of the band shape
maintaining member 9 and shows a case in which, in a state that the
open/close cap 2 exists solely without being fastened by the
pouring spout 20, an external force for deforming the band 10
radially inward from the outer side of the cap 2 is applied.
When such external force is applied to the band 10, in a
conventional product shown in FIG. 20, a point on which the
external force is applied is largely pushed into the radially
inside. Then, a large stress is caused to the connection pieces
connecting the band pieces, and in a worst case, the connection
pieces may be cut off. On the contrary, according to the open/close
cap 2 of the present embodiment provided with the band shape
maintaining member 9, even if the external force is applied to the
band 10, the respective band pieces 11 abut against the outer
peripheral surface of the band shape maintaining member 9.
Accordingly, the point on which the external force is applied is
not pushed further more radially inward. Thus, the deformation of
the band can be suppressed to be constantly small. With the
deformation of the degree such as shown in FIG. 15, much stress is
not caused to the connection pieces 14 connecting the band pieces
11 together, and the cut-off of the connection pieces 14 can be
effectively prevented.
FIG. 16 shows one step for manufacturing the open/close cap 2.
The open/close cap 2 is manufactured integrally by an injection
molding process. That is, a mold is provided with cavities for
forming the band pieces 11 forming the band 10, the coupling pieces
for coupling the cap body 3 to the band pieces 11, the connection
pieces for connecting the respective band pieces 11 to each other
and the band shape maintaining member 9 for preventing the
deformation of the band 10. Resin material is injected to fill
these cavities and the respective portions or pieces are then
molded through one injection shot.
FIG. 16(a) shows the state just after the injection molding. As
shown in FIG. 16(a), in the injection molding process, the band 10
is formed with a predetermined distance from the lower end of the
cap body 3 and is connected thereto through the coupling pieces 12
and 13. In this injection molding process, the dimension between
the lower end of the cap body 3 and the upper end of the band 10 is
slightly larger than a dimension between the lower end of the cap
body 3 and the lower end of the band shape maintaining member 9.
After the injection molding, the band 10 is instantaneously pushed
toward the cap body 3. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 16(b), the
coupling pieces 12 and 13 are contracted so that the upper end of
the band 10 approaches the lower end of the cap body 3, and the gap
therebetween becomes very small. At this time, the band 10 is fully
pushed inside so that the lower end of the band 10 does not
interfere with the pouring spout 20 at a time when the cap body 3
is fastened to the pouring spout 20.
Further, it is to be noted that the cap manufacturing method is not
limited to the method represented by FIG. 16.
According to the method mentioned above, the cap body 3 and the
band 10 are formed through one injection shot to thereby provide
the state shown in FIG. 16(a). As shown in FIG. 17, however, the
cap body 3 and the band 10 may be formed independently by using one
injection molding machine. That is, in the method shown in FIG. 17,
in the first step, only the cap body 3 is injection molded (FIG.
17(a)), and then, in the second step, the band 10 is injection
molded (FIG. 17(b)). In such case, the cap body 3 and the band 10
are disposed such that a gap between the upper end of the band 10
and the lower end of the cap body 3 is larger than a distance
between the lower end of the cap body 3 and the lower end of the
band shape maintaining member 9. Thereafter, the band 10 is pushed
toward the cap body 3 and the coupling pieces 12 and 13 are
contracted so that the band 10 is positioned outside the band shape
maintaining member 9 (FIG. 17(c)).
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 18, it may be possible to
independently mold the cap body 3 and the band 10, and then, they
are coupled together. That is, as shown in FIG. 18(a), the cap body
3 is molded by using one injection molding machine, and the band 10
is molded by using another injection molding machine as shown in
FIG. 18(b). In such case, the coupling pieces 12 and 13 are molded
to either one of the lower end portion of the cap body 3 or upper
end portion of the band 10. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 18, the
coupling pieces 12 and 13 are molded. After the injection molding
of both the cap body 3 and the band 10, as shown in FIG. 18(c), the
band 10 is coupled to the lower end of the cap body 3. In this
coupling step, the band 10 is preliminarily pushed into the cap
body 3 so that the band 10 is positioned outside the band shape
maintaining member 9. After this pushing, the cap body 3 and the
band 10 are fused and coupled at the positions of the coupling
pieces 12 and 13 by means of ultrasonic seal. In the manufacture of
the open/close cap 2 in this method, only by positioning the band
10 to the lower portion of the cap body 3, the coupling pieces are
preliminarily formed to be short so that the band 10 is disposed to
the same position as the band shape maintaining member 9 in the
vertical direction.
Further, the open/close cap 2 may be manufactured by f forging
technology using a fabricated material having a shape similar to
that of the cap 2. That is, a fabricated material having a shape
similar to that of the open/close cap 2 is injection molded. This
fabricated material includes a portion from which the cap body 3 is
formed and a portion from which the band 10 is formed. Such
fabricated material is mechanically worked or laser-worked to
provide the cap body 3 and the band 10 which are coupled by means
of coupling pieces 12 and 13.
The manufacturing method of the open/close cap 2 will be preferably
selected from those mentioned above in consideration of equipments
or like owned by a user.
This open/close cap 2 is also opened from the pouring spout 20
through the operations mentioned with reference to FIGS. 8 and
9.
That is, at first, the open/close cap 2 is rotated in the cap
opening direction X, being the counter-clockwise direction, with
respect to the pouring spout 20. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the
ratchet 41 and the claw portion 15, and the ratchet 43 and the claw
portion 16 are engaged with each other, respectively. From this
state, when the open/close cap 2 is further rotated in the cap
opening direction X, the claw portions 15, 16 are firmly engaged
further with the ratchets 41, 43, respectively. At this moment, the
circumferential pulling force is applied to the band 10, and the
connection pieces 14 are then cut off. That is, when the claw
portions 15, 16 of the band pieces 11, 11 are engaged with the
ratchets 41, 43, respectively, the portions in the predetermined
ranges of the band pieces 11, 11 positioned on the rear side in the
cap opening direction X are prevented from rotating with reference
to the connection pieces 14, 14, and on the other hand, the
portions in the predetermined ranges thereof positioned on the
front side in the cap opening direction X are rotated. Because of
this reason, the pulling force is applied to the connection pieces
14, and as shown in FIG. 9, the connection pieces 14 are cut off
and separated in the circumferential direction.
Furthermore, the respective band pieces 11 are deformed downward in
their front side portions in the cap opening direction X. Among the
coupling pieces 12 and 13 coupling the band pieces 11 and the cap
body 3, the coupling piece 13 positioned on the rear side in the
opening direction X maintains the coupling, without being cut off,
between the band piece 11 and the cap body 3, and on the other
hand, the coupling piece 12, having the thin thickness and narrow
width, positioned on the front side in the opening direction X is
applied with the pulling load, and hence, cut off.
Still furthermore, when the open/close cap 2 is further rotated in
the opening direction X, and the protruded portions 17 and 18 for
deformation reach the position of the ratchet 43, the protruded
portions 17 and 18 ride over the ratchet 43. At this time, further
twisting force acts to the band pieces 11. Thus, as shown in FIG.
19, the respective band pieces 11, 11 are deformed toward downward
at their front side portions in the cap opening direction X.
Further, in FIG. 15, a portion hidden by the band shape maintaining
portion 9 is shown with solid line for the sake of easy
appearance.
As mentioned above, by deforming the band pieces 11 of the
open/close cap 2, the state after the open/close cap is released
can be extremely easily confirmed.
* * * * *